Top-box fastener for wagons.



No; 634,294. Patented Oct. 3, I899. B. M. GERDES.

TOP 80X FASTENER FOR WAGO'NS.

(Application filed Apr. 29, 1899.)

(Na Model.)

HTTT.

| 5R5 120.,10401043110w WASHINGTON u c UNITED STATES PATENT Grinch.

REINHARDT M. GERDES, OF PEKIN, ILLINOIS.

I TOP-BOX FASTENER FOR WAGONS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 634,291, dated October 3, 1899.

Application filedApril 29, 1899. Serial No. 714,934. (N0 model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, REINHARDT M. GERDES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pekin, in the county of Tazewell and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in TopBox Fasteners for agons; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

This invention pertains to a device for looking top boxes to wagon-boxes.

The object of such invention is to provide a simple, cheap, effective, and reliable lock for the top box of a wagon having means for adjustment, so that any desired pressure may be exerted thereon to suit the wants of the operator.

The device is clearly illustrated in the aecompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a general view of a wagon-box, showing my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a front View of the invention attached to the wagon-box sections and locked in position. Fig. 3 is a side view of the same, show ing it unlocked. Fig. 4 is a view, on reduced scale, showing manner of 'locking.

Letters of reference in the drawings and specification correspond.

A is the usual wagon-box, supporting the top box B. Vertical cleats a a are secured to the latter member, as shown, and enter suitable brackets secured to the wagon-box. This construction has been ordinarily employed,

together with some crude manner of locking the portions together. In view of the trouble experienced with this class of devices I have sought to introduce a substantial article which can be quickly and easily operated.

In carrying out my invention I provide an eye 0, attached in any good manner to the I portion B, andlink therewith an eyebolt D or its equivalent, which is threaded at its extremity and supports a correspondinglythreaded stirrup E. The extremities of the stirrup are adapted to pivotally carry between them a lever F, having a tongue I adapted to engage a suitable socket or catch H, forming part of a lug G, secured to the Wagon-box A in suitable manner.

The relative positions of the parts are shown in the several figures, and the position for locking is indicated in Fig. 3.

The tongue I is placed within the socket H, and the lever is forced down until the pivotal point between it and the stirrup is carried past the end of the tongue, as indicated in Fig. 4. A positive lock is thus formed and cannot jar loose or unlock except by the actual outward pull on the lever, as is obvious.

The entire locking mechanism may be thrown out of the way, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, when removing the top portion from or placing it upon the box A. Any adjustment can be had by merely turning the stirrup upon the eyeboltD,after the manner of a turnbuckle, either a half or an entire revolution or more, as desired.

I may change the location of the parts and rearrange the entire device and may substitu'te differently-constructed parts for those shown, as I do not intend to limit myself to any particular form or arrangementin carrying out my invention.

I have shown a chain 19 in Fig. 3 to brace the sides of the box when heavy loads, such as grain or coal, are carried and provide an eyebolt therefor, which passes through the said eye portion or lug C; but to this I lay no claim.

Evidently other means of accomplishing the aim of the present invention could be employed in lieu of that described and shown. I purpose to retain the use of such change in means for myself and shall therefore not limit myself to the claims thereon.

My device may be employed for the endgates of vehicles as well as the sides.

In using the invention the cleats a a may or may not be employed; but possibly better results can be realized by the combination of the two.

It is possible to utilize the device on other articles besides wagons. On the latter implement any number may be usedas, for instance, I may have two or three at each side and one at each end, or I may use a greater or less number, as maybe best suited for the work.

I am not aware of a device of the nature of mine for the purpose indicated, and therefore Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. For use on wagons and kindred vehicles, a locking mechanism consisting of an eye secured to one portion of the wagon, an eyebolt linked therewith, an adjustable stirrup thereon, a lever pivotally hung between the ends of the stirrup, a socket secured to the other portion of the wagon and adapted to engage the said lever for the purposes herein set forth and described.

2. A top-box fastener for wagons and kindred vehicles, consisting of an eye 0 secured to the top box, a socket or catch G secured to the wagon-box, an eyebolt, or its equivalent, linked with the said eye C, a stirrup E adjustable on the said eyebolt, for the purposes set forth, a lever pivotally hung between the extremities of the stirrup, and a tongue Ion the lever to engage the said socket, or catch G substantially as set forth and described.

3. In combination with a wagon-box and top box therefor, cleats attached to the latter, sockets attached to the former for receiving the cleats, an eye secured to the top box, a socket or catch on the wagon-box, an eyebolt, or equivalent, linked with the eye, a stirrup adjustably secured to the eyebolt, a lever pivoted on the stirrup and a tongue on such lever for engaging the said socket or catch 011 the wagon-box for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

REINIIARDT M. GERDES.

Witnesses:

ADOLPHE XV. LAUTZ, .Tiissn ASHER. 

